The Memorial Day weekend weather forecast for Blythe, California called for daytime highs around 99 degrees. That same forecast also called for the annual return of triple digit temperatures by the end of this month for this community located approximately a mile from the California and Arizona borders.

So, what does this weather forecast have to do with auto racing? Blythe, California is the home of the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway, the quarter mile paved oval located at the Colorado River Fairgrounds. It was the incredibly hot summers in Blythe that led to speedway Promoter Greg Scheidecker's decision to create the Winter Blast Racing Series. This special schedule had race cars on his track from late September until late April. That successful racing formula was launched over 11 years ago.

Lucas Oil's season 11 at the speedway concluded this past April 27th. However, just because a race track is dark between seasons does not mean there's not plenty of work to be done. Scheidecker's years of experience tells him that now is the time to launch plans for season 12. It's a time to plan race schedules and conduct meetings with current speedway sponsors while meeting with potentially new sponsors. It's also a time to coordinate with race teams and launch the speedway's annual maintenance campaign.

With a smile on his face, Scheidecker recently said: " wow, we're getting ready to launch our 12th season. Another full season of winter racing in Blythe from the fall of 2013 to the spring of 2014. I guess that old saying is true: time really does fly when you have good duty."

Commenting on the new Winter Blast Series to come, Scheidecker said: "I can tell you this much, opening night is going to be September 28th and we're going to open strong with an appearance by the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by LoanMart. It's the annual Topless 100. That's when the teams remove the roofs of the cars giving the fans a special bird's eye look at the drivers inside of the cars. This 100 lap race pays $1,300 to win and we have CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods to thank for sponsoring this special event. "

The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway's collection of fan favorite racing divisions will also be returning for the new season. That includes the Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, Legend Cars, Bandoleros and the Gene Price Late Model River Series.

Scheidecker was happy to announce that the Pony Stocks will be making four special appearances at his track this season including the traditional Thanksgiving weekend race, one of the largest events on the Winter Blast schedule.

Also making a special appearance this season will be the S2 Late Models. Under the promotional supervision of the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series, this driver development series runs spec cars and engines. The division is regarded as a perfect bridge between street stocks and full powered late models.

While it's still to early to officially announce, due to ongoing contract negotiations, Scheidecker did mention that he working on a special evening that will feature monster truck racing.

"We plan on having everything and everybody in place so we can release the 2013-2014 Winter Blast Racing Series official schedule right after the Fourth of July," he said.

Greg Scheidecker always has always displayed the heart and soul of a true racer. While he's busy laying the groundwork for his racing program in Blythe, he's also wearing his other Lucas Oil racing hats as well. That would be his duties as the General Manager of the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by LoanMart and his duties as Operations Manager for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, presented by GEICO. It's often a rather hectic schedule, especially on race weekends, but Scheidecker wouldn't have it any other way.